Fletcher’s Cove Access Update:
Potomac Access
• Work Begins on Dock
• Enhanced Web Presence
• Last Chance to Help Name the Coalition
Maintenance personnel from the National Park Service arrived at Fletcher’s Cove on Wednesday, January 27 to begin the much anticipated dock repairs. Heavy equipment was used to remove the condemned section and prepare the site. While we are currently unaware of details for the dock maintenance project, C&O Canal NHP Superintendent Kevin Brandt has reaffirmed his commitment to a March 1st completion.
Access to the dock at Fletcher’s Cove was
closed last October due to safety concerns. A coalition of Potomac River
enthusiasts organized in December to raise awareness about the siltation
problems at Fletcher’s and petition the Park Service to keep the public river
access open. The original Awareness
Statement along with a list of supporters remains
active. Participation in the petition to
help build support for a long-term solution is still encouraged.
A dedicated website for the coalition effort is
being considered. For now, we urge supporters
to check out the recent enhancements to our web presence. A home
page has been set up to chronicle activity to date
and direct visitors to news articles as well as a fascinating Fletcher’s
Cove photo album site. Photographs
of this week’s construction activity appear in the album “2015 Dock Repairs,”
and there will be frequent updates as the work continues.
To prepare for the challenges ahead and explore
possible fund raising strategies, our coalition needs a name! The names associated with our email address
and web pages have been used on a trial basis and are among the choices offered
on the Vote for
a Name page. Additional
suggestions are welcome. The deadline for
submission has been extended to February 7th.
If you have any suggestions, comments, old
photographs or want to help out, please feel free to contact us at Potoma...@gmail.com.